Crime

Rise in Fatal Attacks by Domesticated Dogs  

By Web News 521

By Titilayo Kupoliyi

Dogs described as domesticated descendant of the wolf has been a natural part of man from time immemorial.

They were the first species to be domesticated by hunter-gatherers over 15,000 years ago before the development of agriculture.

Today, dogs are increasingly being utilized for multiple purposes including security, shepherding flocks, crime bursting, sniffing out hard drugs at airports and seaports, circus shows and as a companion.

These numerous uses have turned these domestic canines, which are in various breeds, into big businesses or commercial venture.

 International Canine Federation, FCI, recognizes 360 breeds, estimates put the number of dogs in Nigeria above 10 million.

However, despite the endearing usefulness of dogs in the country, there is growing concern about the threat they constitute through their bites, which could lead to rabies from untreated dogs.

According to the World Health Organisation, animal bites are a major public health problem in children and adults.

Studies have shown that dogs account for 76 to 94 per cent of animal bite injuries while dog bites are also responsible for approximately “tens of millions of injuries annually” and about 59,000 people die annually from rabies.

Most of these deaths come from new breeds of dogs brought into the country or reared for sale.

Some of these include German shepherd dog, Boerboel, Rottweiler, Basenji, Alsatian, Caucasian ,Pitbull and English Mastiff.

Recently, there has been an upsurge in reports of dog attacks, which is raising safety concern among lovers of the domestic animal.

The most recent was that case of Osun State where two Alsatian dogs attacked a nursing mother named Mummy Basira and killed her baby girl strapped to  her back on the 30th August, 2023.

In July, a newly married man, Muhammed Faworaja, reportedly died after being bitten by a dog in Kwara State.

Also in 2015, Maureen Akowe lost her four-month-old baby to her dog in Asaba, Delta State. The baby was in the mother’s car alongside the dog in a  popular supermarket on Okpanam Road, Asaba, Delta State.

Similarly, ten dogs owned by a UK returnee fondly called Mr. Chinedu Oka, devoured a two year-old child.

Experts attribute the attacks to initial aggression, pointing out that several incidents show that dogs bite even their owners while they try to stop the aggression.

Also, human error or negligence could also account for bites or fatal attacks by dogs, especially when the dogs are not taken care of, well fed or well secured by their owners.

The fatal attack on the baby girl and injury inflicted on her mother Basira by two Alsatian dogs in Osun State this year was a function of gross negligence by the owners as the dogs as they  were not secured.

 At this juncture,It is important to stem this emerging tide of attacks and deaths.

 A significant step in this direction is to hold negligent dog owners accountable for any incident.

Commendably, Osun state government has read a riot act to dog owners warning that it would no longer condone dogs unleashing terror on residents in her domain

Hence,dog owners   should show responsibility to neighbours and their community by doing the needful in ensuring the health of their dogs and train them against undue aggression on harmless citizens.

Lastly, the association of dog breeders in the country should educate their members on the imperative of regular vaccination for their dogs and ensure that their dogs do not constitute nuisance or threats to the society.

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Crime

Osun Govt. Reads Riot Act to Dog Owners

By Web News 330

By Folake Oye

Worried by the death of a baby from dog attack in Osogbo, the Osun State capital recently, the government has warned dog owners to tame their dogs or face prosecution.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Tola Faseru, gave the warning in Osogbo while meeting with dog breeders, owners and veterinary outfits in the state.

Mr Faseru said the state would not condone dogs unleashing terror on residents.

The commissioner also said all dogs must get anti-rabies vaccination with certificate, which must be duly signed by a certified veterinarian,.

Mr Faseru consoled with the family of a dog bite victim in Hallelujah Estate Area, Osogbo, where a dog killed a five month-old baby and injured the mother.

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Feature

Are dogs really man’s best friend?

By Web News 1814

By Maxwell Oyekunle

Yes, dogs are often referred to as “man’s best friend” because of their loyal and affectionate nature.

Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and have developed a strong bond with humans.

They are known for their unconditional love, loyalty, and their ability to provide comfort and companionship to their owners.

Dogs are also highly intelligent and trainable, which makes them ideal for a wide range of roles, such as assistance dogs, working dogs, and even therapy dogs.

They have a keen sense of smell, hearing, and sight, which makes them excellent watchdogs and protectors.

Overall, dogs have proven themselves to be reliable and dependable companions to humans throughout history, and their reputation as man’s best friend is well deserved.

Lovable Attributes of Dogs

Dogs have many lovable attributes that make them popular pets and cherished members of the family. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Loyalty: Dogs are famously loyal to their owners. They form strong bonds with their humans and are always there to offer love and support.

Affectionate: Dogs are known for their affectionate nature. They love to cuddle, give kisses, and show their owners how much they care.

Playfulness: Dogs have a natural playfulness that can bring joy and laughter to any household. They love to play fetch, chase toys, and even engage in silly antics.

A dog showing off its flexibility

Protectiveness: Many dog breeds are protective of their families and will do anything to keep them safe. This makes them great watchdogs and protectors.

Intelligence: Dogs are intelligent animals that can learn a wide variety of tricks and commands. They are capable of performing complex tasks and are often trained for jobs such as service dogs, search and rescue dogs, and police dogs.

Empathy: Dogs have been shown to have a keen sense of empathy and can sense when their owners are upset or in distress. They will often offer comfort and support during these times. There are even cases of dogs imitating their owners’ injuries in empathy.

Overall, dogs are incredibly lovable creatures that offer companionship, affection, and loyalty to their owners. It’s no wonder they are often referred to as “man’s best friend.”

Notable Dog and Man Friendship Stories

There are countless stories of dogs and their humans forming unbreakable bonds.

Here are a few notable examples:

Hachiko: Hachiko was an Akita who lived in Japan in the early 20th century. Every day, Hachiko would walk to the train station to meet his owner, a professor who taught at a nearby university. Even after his owner passed away, Hachiko continued to go to the train station every day for the next nine years, waiting for his owner to return.

A shot of Hachiko waiting for his owner

Balto: Balto was a Siberian Husky who led a team of sled dogs in 1925 on a mission to deliver medicine to a remote town in Alaska that was suffering from a diphtheria epidemic. Balto and his team braved a treacherous blizzard and completed the mission, saving countless lives.

  • Balto’s Statue in New York City’s Central Park
  • Balto with Gunnar Kaasen, his musher in the 1925 Serum Run.

Sergeant Stubby: Sergeant Stubby was a stray dog who became a mascot for a group of American soldiers during World War I. He accompanied the soldiers to the front lines and helped them detect enemy gas attacks and locate wounded soldiers. He even captured a German spy and was promoted to sergeant for his service.

  • Gen. John Pershing awards Sergeant Stubby with a medal from the Humane Education Society at a White House ceremony, 1921
  • Sergeant Stubby displaying his medals
  • Sergeant Stubby displaying his medals

Buddy: Buddy was a Golden Retriever who became famous for his unwavering loyalty to his owner, a man named Bob. When Bob passed away in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, Buddy waited for him to return for months, even though he never did.

A Golden Retriever

Hooch: Hooch was a French Mastiff who was rescued from an abusive home and taken in by a police officer named Scott. Hooch went on to become a successful police dog and helped solve numerous cases. He also formed a strong bond with Scott and his family, and is remembered as a gentle giant who loved his humans deeply.

“Proportionately, the Dogue de Bordeaux/French Mastiff has the largest head in the canine world.”

These stories demonstrate the incredible loyalty, bravery, and love that dogs are capable of showing their human companions.

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News Analysis

Imperative of Ending Rabies

By Web News 1184 Post a comment

The importance of dogs as domestic animals cannot be over emphasized.

Out of all animals, dogs serve as man’s greatest companion and are also used for hunting and security purposes.

Because of this closeness to man, they serve as agents of disease transmission, such as rabies, ringworm, tapeworm and parasitic skin infection caused by hookworm larvae that usually infest cats, dogs and other animals.

The most dreadful of these diseases, however, is rabies.

Rabies is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals.

 The symptoms include violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, fear of water, inability to move parts of the body, confusion, and loss of consciousness.

Once symptoms appear, the result is nearly always death

 A rabied dog bites an average of ten to twenty animals or humans before being killed.

Globally, the disease accounts for fifty nine thousand deaths annually, making it a persistent endemic problem.

It is disheartening however that despite the fact that it is endemic, the true picture of the disease burden is unknown probably due to under reporting.

According to a principal researcher, National Veterinary Research Institute, Dr Ibikunle Faramade, between 1928 and now, more than five thousand cases of animal rabbies have been diagnosed at the institute.

However, reports on rabies in Nigeria to the international community is low.

For instance, from 1992 to 1998, Nigeria only submitted report on rabies once to the World Health Organization and the pattern has remained the same till date.

Importantly, animal disease reporting mechanism should be completely overhauled to generate reliable animal disease data including rabies and to facilitate adequate planning, prevention and control of diseases.

It is therefore imperative to immediately report incidences of dog bites at veterinary hospitals for prompt treatment.

The theme for this year’s World Rabbies Day celebration, “End Rabbies, Vaccinate, Eliminate Rabbies Transmission Cycle” is apt as it would help to raise awareness about the disease and to highlight progress made so far in defeating  it.

28 September also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine.

In view  of the danger rabies pose to public health, there is need to make vaccination of all  domestic animals mandatory while also checking the increasing population of stray dogs in the country.

Also, subsidizing vaccines for rabies would go a long way in encouraging more people to vaccinate their dogs

Commendably, the passage of amended dog bill into law by the Oyo State House of Assembly is a step in the right direction. 

It is hoped that when the bill is signed into law and implemented, the menace of rabies would be effectively tackled. 

Moreover, the department of veterinary services across the country should be strengthened with adequate personnel and equipment.

For instance, there are only thirteen veterinary officers in Oyo State managing animal health service delivery in the thirty three local government and local council development areas.

This is grossly inadequate.

To achieve the sustainable development goal of ending rabies by 2030 globally, there is need for all stakeholders to collaborate in this regard.

Anthonia Akanji